This summer, thousands of children across Ohio will be biking safer thanks to the “Put A Lid On It” Campaign — a statewide effort to get free bicycle helmets into the hands of kids who need them.

With support from the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Ohio Department of Transportation and American Honda Motor Company, the campaign is providing 13,000 helmets to 179 organizations in 61 counties. Helmets are being distributed through pediatricians’ offices, local health departments, police and fire stations, schools and other community partners.

Taking part locally are Struthers Elementary School and the village of New Middletown in Mahoning County, and the Trumbull County Combined Health District and Grace AME Church Nursing Guild in Warren in Trumbull County.

Since the program began in 2011, more than 100,000 helmets have been donated to help protect children while they ride. Along with the helmets, groups receive bike safety training materials and guidance on how to properly fit helmets — making it easier for families to keep kids protected on every ride.